The best way to start restocking the Miami Dolphins roster is to evaluate what coach Tony Sparano and General Manager Jeff Ireland presently have to work with.

Here’s a look what’s left of the depth chart from last year’s 7-9 team before free agency and the 2011 NFL draft begins. Only players signed to contracts will appear on this depth chart, so don’t get spooked that Ronnie Brown, Ricky Williams, Chad Pennington or Tony McDaniel aren’t on it.

There’s good reason for that considering at this moment none of those players are under contract, have tendered offers, or are exclusive right free agents.

OFFENSE

Henne’s 13-14 as an NFL starter, and Ireland intends to add a quarterback through free agency, trade or the draft who will push this former second-round pick for the starting spot. Thigpen has received a second-round tender, and if it’s valid expect him to return. If the tender is not honored (by the new CBA) don’t be surprised if Thigpen signs elsewhere. Brandstater is big and has a strong arm, but little else is known about him.

RB (2) – Lex Hilliard, Kory Sheets

FB (1) – Lousaka Polite

There’s talk out there about the Dolphins giving Hilliard an opportunity to prove this former Montana standout can be a featured back in the NFL, but if that was such a viable option why didn’t Sparano give him more carries last season? Sheets, who is recovering from an Achilles tendon injury, is the change of pace back Ireland says he wants to add to this offense. Brown and Williams are both free agents and it would be surprising if either returns. Ireland said it’s possible that one might. The Dolphins will likely add tailbacks through free agency and/or the draft.

Marshall, the team’s alpha receiver, is coming off a season where he caught 86 passes for 1,014 yards and three touchdowns. But he’ll be the first to testify he wasn’t utilized properly in last year’s offense. Bess and Hartline produced career numbers as the team’s flanker and slot receiver, but it’s obvious the Dolphins need a receiver with enough speed to stretch the field. Everyone else on the roster should be viewed as developmental projects at this point.

Fasano produced career highs in receptions (39) and receiving yards (528), but without the ideal second tight end to threaten the seam the position failed to deliver. Shuler, Epps and Mastrud all struggled to contribute their rookie season, and while the coaches will continue to invest in all three the Dolphins plan to search for a seam threat to add balance to the tight end unit.

Offensive Line (9)

LT – Jake Long, Matt Kopa, Allen Barbre

LG – Nate Garner, Ray Feinga

C- Richie Incognito, Joe Berger

RG – John Jerry

RT – Vernon Carey, Lydon Murtha, James Marten (practice squad in ‘10)

Right tackle Vernon Carey is due $4.15 million in 2011.

The Dolphins’ two starting tackles face a difficult offseason. Long is battling back from a shoulder injury he played through in 2010, and Carey, who is due $4.15 million in 2011, is battling knee problems that have limited his mobility. If healthy both are amongst the NFL’s best at their positions, but their road back won’t be easy. The interior of the offensive line is another issue considering that group failed to provide much of a line surge last season. Incognito was re-signed to a three year deal and will likely push Berger for the starting center spot. Garner, who started eight games at guard in ‘09, was tendered and the hope is that he can man the starting left guard spot. But don’t be surprised if the Dolphins add a few veterans, or draft picks this offseason, rebuilding the offensive line for the fourth straight year.

I’ll be breaking down this roster and discussing the Dolphins during a WQAM show I’m co-hosting Saturday from 12-3 p.m. I hope you’ll join me.

I’m curious which offensive unit needs upgrading the most in your opinion?

Comments (613 Comments)

I have a a few comments concerning Chad Henne. I’ll be straightforward about what I feel true about Chad Henne issue before doing that. I’ve read posts from so called “Mob” members who post on this blog regularly who have really attacked anyone (including “Mob” Club members) for writing anything positive, redemptive or hopeful concerning Mr. Henne. So, Here is my assesment of Henne before I begin.
I feel Miami made a mistake not drafting Matt Ryan. “Hind sight” or anything like it has no part in my opinion. It was there from the season I watched Matt Play like a {professional Football player. Still. Miami came away from NOT drafting Matt Ryan or Joe Flaaco smelling about as good as a team possibly could. Drafting Jake Long was a damn site from anything like a “Consolation”. Jake may not be #1 in every specific physical attribute such as speed and/or quickness. But when every measurable attribute is coupled with intangibles (Intelligence, ability to still be dominant while playing through pain, etc,) and IMAO Jake Long is the Top LT in the League. With only 1 or 2 peers to measure him by as his contemporaries.

But Jake Long is not who I wish to talk about…. Chad Henne is the one I need to empty my thoughts about.

I’m not sure why Chad took such a step back last year. It makes no sense. I believe that is why I am willing to believe that there were issues that seriously contributed to what happened. Even if Chad were a QB with a stunted development, or a developmental incapability. It would not show itself the way it did in Chads game. I firmly believe if the collapse that Chad suffered was far more then a guy who was just plain struggling or flat out failing. That sort of QB implosion takes more time to happen and it does so on a much smoother and more predictable time line and flat scale of decline.

What happened to Chad Henne was like the friggin bottom fell out of his airship. He went from running down the field with a finger pointing to the sky doing chest bumps with receivers in 2009 and early 2010… to folding like a lawn chair at the first sign of the pocket in collapse or checking down or locking on receivers with so much regularity teams had him predetermined in his plays and when they would be called.

It cannot be ignored that more then one team spoke of knowing what a play would be and what rout our top WR would be running just by reading the offense. You cannot ignore that. It is clear that the system was 100% solved and play by play diagnostics were broken at a level that no matter how hard Chad “Looked Off” the safeties of CB’s… they knew where and when the ball was going most of the time. It is not without president you know? New England and New York had Dan Marino and Shula solved in the 1991, 92, 93 seasons. Even with Dan out with a Achilles Tendon rupture, the Offense was under constant attack. Buffalo was the team of the hour back then. So, To me it is clear that Henne had Opponent defensive units in his head before the opening Kickoff ever took place.

Then there is the interception issue. Take a look at that with three perspectives,,,
1) The opposing defense had a better then average chance of knowing the play, the WT routs and the WR who Henne was asked by Henning or David Lee to throw to. Why do I say that? BECAUSE THERE WERE THREE TEAMS WHO ADMITTED THEY KNEW AS MUCH AND ACTUALLY FELT FOR MARSHALL IN THE SITUATION. I remember Marshall came a hair from being ejected in the Tennessee game against a Corner who was calling routs and plays at the Line .
2) I have watched many of those Interceptions… I feel we need to nick-Name some of the receivers who the ball was being thrown to “Crazy Legs” like I used to call Marty Booker “Crazy Legs Booker”…. Guy fell down 3 out of every 4 plays whether the ball came his way or not. Same issue last year, Receivers were falling down, not extending or peeling off routs or just plain running them incorrectly. It cost us MANY of those INT’s.
3) Henne had HIS share of screw ups too. I saw him throw a few right at the Defensive players. But… the number of times he did that… was very much on par with how many times the OTHER QB’s in the league were doing the same thing.

Like I said… I know Henne had/has his issues… but if you are HONEST… and you are looking at this like you understand the game and what should and should NOT be happening. You know that what happened to Henne this past year was a unnatural event for a QB who just plain is NOT that bad.

Lastly… Henne made blunders… The missed TD to Fasano in Baltimore is the one play that stands out like no other to me. But Truth is truth,,, Stats or numbers that don’t lie. You can use them to say about anything you wish so long as they are good at some level. or VERY BAD at another. Henne’s stats have his “DEAD CENTER OF THE PACK”…. His QG Rating is that of a QB who is in development and doing okay. But, the things that are happening, the ones that ARE his fault and the ones that are coming from a situation that may already of been solved… are just as valid as any other.

PLEASE…. There is no reason to attack me. If you wish to, that is fine, I will back my statements with factual information. I am NOT making a “Start Henne”{ argument. But what I am saying… and feel very sure of my thinking. Is that we do NOT know all we need to about Chad Henne. After Miami beat Green Bay, I logged onto the “Green Bay Press Gazette” because it was featured on “Behind the lines” on this very paper. What I read those fan posting was they were sick and tired of losing and thought they could and would not ever win with Mike McCarthy and particularly Aaron Rogers. They thought and I quote them directly/// “Mike McCarthy and his staff are a bunch of idiots” and on another post I read “Mike McCarthy does not have the ability or intelligence to succeed in the NFL against the better coaches”… Then in another post I read “Aaron Rogers will NEVER be a Franchise level QB who will be anything like Brett Favre”…. again “We need to get rid of McCarthy as soon as possible and perhaps draft or grab a FA QB to replace Rogers, We will nver go anywhere with them”…

These posts came out of Green Bay after the 5th game of the season. Now, Just a day or so ago, McCarthy signed a long term, well $$$ stocked $$$ deal. And Aaron Rogers??? 2005 as a backup, his team was 4-12. A TOTAL disappointment. 2006 during a 35-0 ars whupping at home from New England. Rogers was subbing for an injured Favre and broke his foot. That was the end of him until 2007. 2007 he though Brett would leave, Nope, Rogers made the field a few times and showed he had ability. He was also nearly traded to The Raiders for Randy Moss. Imagine that… A High level coach or player being dangled for trade or replacement and it was not a travesty like it was every or any time in Miami something like that happens? 2008 Rogers finally started, He did okay, but in 7 tries, he was unable to win close games… Sound Familiar? … The fans were ready to see Green Bay take a look in another direction by the end of 2008. 2009, after 4 YEARS… Rogers posted his very first come back win. AMAZING STAT… Is it not? 2009 Rogers started with a Mediocre 4-4 start. Imagine if in Miami a 5 year QB started a season 4-4 after posting his first come back in his entire career only the year before!!! This town would be calling for the Coaching staff and the QB’s heads…. And that is EXACTLY what they were doing in Green Bay. By the end of that year… Rogers was on the way to a Pro Bowl. 2010… Green Bay started with a 2-0 bang… then a 3 out of 4 game losing streak that had the Green Bay Faithful acting like Dolphins fans once again. After losing to Miami, they were calling for Rogers and McCarthy to be fired and replaced. By the end of the year… they hoisted the Lombardy Trophy in Dallas.

Chad Henne has his issues… He may NEVER recover from them. But I feel trying to say that he is a 100% wash out or bust is a stretch of what the facts tell us. Henne is certainly responsible for the mistakes of a Young QB. But its also clear to anyone with an understanding of the game that more is wrong them meets the eye. I don’t feel it deliberate, but Chad Henne is a victim of a very poor system wrapped around and very inefficient QB coaching staff and Offensive Coordinator. He is already a still guy, but in that system he became no more then a “Robot” for lack of a better word. No way that ANY young QB can be expected to be successful in his situation. Not giving him an opportunity to show himself in a better system would be a travesty and very unfair. It may even cost us a QB who I feel we have never really seen the full capabilities of on the field. I for one… and hoping he proves us us wrong and has the breakout season out team needs a player like him to have so badly. He may not be Aaron Rogers shadow… But I doubt seriously he is what we have seen thus far either.

I apologize for the ridiculously long post and any grammar or spelling mistakes. I just did not take the time… But if you did take time to read it all… Thanks for doing spo.

You make some great points but I still agree to disagree. Henne is putrid!!! I wish I had a tally mark for every time he tried to check down to Ricky or Ronnie within 5 yards and either over thorwing, under throwing or gunning it to hard where the RB’s had no chance of making ANY of those catches. I remember Ronnie was running a screen pass and with NO rusher in Henne’s face (had plenty of time to set his feet and delivery a nice crisp toss) gunned the ball so hard it almost broke Ronnie’s fingers and Ronnie stared him down and reluctantly walked back to the huddle. It’s plays like that that have NO bearing on the OC and only rests in the hands of Henne. Ask any coach in the NF and they will say the check down is one of the most important plays a QB can make because it keeps the ball moving foward and kills clock….Mr. Henne CAN’T check the f@ckin ball if his life depended on it. It happens a MINIMUM of once per game.

I’m not absolving Henning from any wrongdoing either…I hope he dies a slow painful death preferably of the testicles because of his lack of balls during a game…are you kidding me inside the red zone and we make 0 attempts at the endzone and settle for a meaningless FG?!?!?!? Worst OC in the history of the NFL!!!

But I digress, Henne’s confidence is shot…he knows he’s one bad PRACTICE away from losing his starting job because his GM and HC have no faith in him whatsoever. That is NOT a guy I want leading my team. Perhaps a trade to SF, MIN, ARZ, etc might rejuvenate his career but his time in MIAMI is and should be OVER!!!!

Excellent post, Derek. You are absolutely spot on with your assessment of the offensive struggles last year. I, too, find the Henne lynch mob to be ridiculous and exhausting. Clearly they just don’t understand the level of team unity it requires to have a successful offense, from coaches and players alike. They blame Henne cause it’s the easy thing to do. A little bit of open-minded research and thought, however, tells a much different story. Henne may not turn out to be the guy, but to write him off at this point is not the right thing to do.

Dude, you have way to much time on your hands to be this worried about football and what what people might think of your opinion. Suck it up and say what you think without apologizing. Be a man not a whinny little girl. Henne sucks. Everyone knows it. Stop making excuses for him. The fact that he checks down on practically every throw is all him. He takes the freakin snap, he needs to make the play. Good QB’s do that, period. Do you really want another year of 10-14 points a game? You probably like Ronnie Brown too. This guy gets tackled on the first hit every time. The Dolphins need play makers. Why they got rid of Welker and Camarillo is beyond me. Anybody remember Baltimore a few years ago? Thanks Greg. They should have grabbed Moss when they had a chnace. Do i even mention Drew Bress? Parcels, Cameron, Nick Satan are all examples of bad decisions that have set this program back. The damn Jets have made back to back appearences in the Championship game! Are you kiddin me. I am embarassed to be a Miami fan. This franchise has not been the same since Marino tore his achilles. It has been in denial of it’s status for the last ten years. It’s not going to get any better in the near future either. Don’t expect too much and you won’t be disapponited. Best case scenario is wish for some good luck and maybe the football gods will help out.

You are absolutly correct look at at the QB for Saints he had simular #s when he left the Charger and now is considered a Top QB. Henne has a personality that dicktates he follows a struckure and the orders he is given you saw that was the opposite with Thigpen. Henne needs a good system and good play caller to do well. If you took Ryan or any other yough QB and pluged him in to our system we could and probably would be at the same place screaming for his head. I think Henne needs a nther chance to excel with a new system before we send him to another plac where he may come back to bite us in the buts Thats what happened to Farve when he was yough and was traded to the Pack and look what he did. I just hope Hennes confidence hasnt been ruined.

Fatass Jack says:
March 5, 2011 at 8:39 pm
Earlier someone stated that the Dolphins offensive line in 2010 wasn’t good at run blocking but was great at pass protection. I beg to differ…

Total Sacks

2008 – 25
2009 – 34
2010 – 38

that is not a good trend! I definitely don’t think those numbers scream “great” pass protection…

FA Jack,

I like statistics, but this is an instance where statistics can lie or at least not tell the whole story. Sacks are a combination of things- Lines ability to block rushers, rb’s picking up blitzers, use of te’s, wr’s ability to get open, qb’s ability to read defense and find open man, etc, etc, etc… I’m not trying to be a smartass, just pointing out that those numbers don’t tell the whole story.

You’re right. Let the damn QB develop. Patience. In 2009 Henne showed signs of being a good QB. We could’ve had Brady as our QB last year and still not have won, with our O-line and running problems. So, let him play.

No attack. You make some good points. Henne is not horrible and there were some situations that weren’t his fault. I would also point out that if his interceptions were analyzed I would be you most of them came in the 4th quarter as he was pressing to get the team back into the game.

That being said….

Henne lacks the “it”. He doesn’t have it. He’s a .500 type of qb and in Miami we need better than .500.

It’s hard to explain but you just know when you see it on the field. Fans know. Announcers know. THe players know.

I think Miami needs to bring in a veteran to compete immediately with Henne for the starting role (to push Henne to perform) and then draft a developing 3rd string QB. We should always have a 3rd string QB that is young and in a developing stage.

Thanks for taking the time to put your thoughts into words Derek. You make many valid points.

Quarterbacks do tend to “struggle” or regress in their second season as a starter (Matt Ryan and Joe Flacco did) because they are given more freedom in the offense and more responsibility.

Not only did teams say they knew what play was coming when the offense lined up under Henne – they said the same thing about Pennington (Ed Reed) which tells me the system was definitely partially to blame.

We abandoned the run (or it abandoned us while it was working) and teams knew we weren’t going to run – this allowed the defense to do 2 things. They could either pin their ears back and come hard at the young QB with an ineffective line or drop extra guys back in to coverage and defend the pass. At that point it is tough because the defense is now dictating the game – not the offense and we were allowing that to happen early in games (2nd quarter at Baltimore).

The stats say that Henne definitely tried to spread the ball around and went to the WR’s more than Pennington did. More mistakes are made when going to the WR’s than to the TE’s and RB’s because you have DB’s on them rather than LB’s. Yet both Pennington and Henne had a high completion percentage — which means the offensive design was “safe.”

Henne also was victim to guys falling down in their routes or not fighting for the ball. There were 2 Int’s where the DB just took the ball away from Marshall. That shouldn’t happen especially since Marshall was preaching all season to just throw the ball up to him and let him go get it. Well, don’t let the DB break in on you and take it from you either. It goes both ways.

We totally missed a home run threat. Our running backs had 8 TD’s and most of them were short yard runs. We had very few “long” plays during the season. Off the top of my head I can think of about 5 — the TD to Moore (oakland), long pass to Marshall (Minn), long run by Ronnie (Minn), throwback to Fasano (GB) and pass to Cobbs (Oak). I am sure there were a few more but that is as memorable as our season was for positive offensive plays…

Miami went hard at upgrading the defense last year. Only 1 draft pick on the offense and that was a 3rd round guard. We did add Marshall but the other additions were Jerry, Incognito, McShistain, Wallace, Moore, Shuler, Mastrud, Ramsey, Bandcamper, Proctor and Murtha. Marshall is a stud and Jerry and Incognito are starting NFL material – but the rest of those moves are developmental players at best and roster filler at worst. Translated the front office didn’t do their best work on Offense. Jacoby Ford was there as a replacement for Ted Ginn but we passed on that and took no one as a replacement…

Henne made some dumb decisions. It was maddening at times and the culmination for me was the Detroit Lions game in the 4th quarter. Why we were throwing the ball with a lead I will never understand (that is on the coaches) but he forced some bad throws. It is that game that makes me think that he may never have what it takes to lead a team to the playoffs.

The point is that “safe” and “predictable” with no run game is a problem. Now we are implementing either a new or modified system. Now we have a CBA morass which to me means no contact between coaches and players is the biggest problem. Sure, you can draft a young QB and he may even be good – but if you can’t even talk to his agent until September there is no way he is playing this year. So at that point do you use a pick in this draft (a down QB year) to just hold and work for next year or do you go out and use that pick on upgrading a need position for this year and try to win now? We will add a QB that we think can be a starting quality QB but my guess is it will be a veteran in FA. People will hate me for saying this but I think it will be Mark Bulger…

FAJ I agree 00% with EVERYTHING you said. I even agree with the Bulger prediction. Out of ALL the FA QB’s he’s th only one I would “trust” to give Henne a run for his money. Not saying Bulger is the answer, but for 1 year he could really push Henne and teach him to NOT be “safe” and predictable whereas Pennington only knows how to be safe and predictable. Even on the JEts Pennington played this way, hence why he’s the “most accurate passer in history”…it’s called check-downs on every play. Bulger will gear back and let it fly which keeps Safeties honest. I’d prefer a Bulger over a Vince Young ANYDAY!!!

The reason I feel it will be Mark Bulger is that the coaches will know what to expect of him. They will know that he will run the plays the way they are designed and his knowledge and veteran experience will definitely help the team.

With Vince Young you get a wild card. Wildcard can be good if it is creating an unpredictability for the defense but it is bad when it creates an unpredictability for teammates and coaches. With Young you get both and that is not good.

Donovan McNabb does not fit the system, has been cast off from 2 teams now and is getting older. The biggest issue with McNabb is that he thinks he is way better than he is and he lets those around him know it.

Carson Palmer is an interesting QB but even though he has put up decent numbers he is an underachiever. He has had great receivers during his career but as a team they are nothing but pedestrian. Even against Miami he underperformed Henne or maybe “matched” Henne is a better word. Just like Henne, Palmer got on a roll and had 2 early TD’s and then completely disappeared. His decision making became questionable and they lost a game they could have easily won. So with Palmer you get an older Henne with a better deep ball but will never win anything of importance…

Tavaras Jackson – he is likely to stay in Minnesota but they are so thrilled with him that they keep begging grandpa to come back for one more try — and that is with a very talented offense…

The rest of the guys are just filler (Matt Moore, Leinart, Quinn, Smith, etc) are not legit starters. They play on bad teams and aren’t the man. Leinart with a 1st round tender is the funniest thing I have seen in a long time and they could have kept him with a 4th round tender IMO…

In no way would I personally attack someone for their opinions and you raise several valid points. However, what struck me most about Henne is the body language on the field. He seems scared or nervous out there. He has many of the attributes you want in an NFL QB but it seems as if in crunch time he folds. If he makes a mistake it seems to consume him. I don’t fault QBs for making a mistake or 2. Dan threw 240 ints in his career. What I expect from a QB is the ability to have amnesia and make up for the turn overs with big plays. Henne didn’t do that with regularity. He makes a turn over and he seemed to let it get inside his head. It was as if once he made a turnover he almost expected to make more. I don’t think it is a coaching issue I just think it is his make up. I am not trying to rip him but I think he needs serious competition from either a vet or a rookie QB or both. Should he win the job then I am all in with him but lets not just hope he “continues to develop” he needs to be pushed.

I totally agree with you about the body language part but I believe that developed after the 3 play benching against Tennessee.

Before that, people said he was too aloof. That it appeared he didn’t care that he threw an INT. At that point I believe it was the “amnesia” that you speak of. But people were looking for a reason to knock the guy so they used that as a bad thing.

After the Tennessee game it seemed as though his confidence got shot. Now, of course he did suffer a knee injury in that game and most media outlets reported he would be out for the season as a result – but he was back under center 2 weeks later.

I am not sure how much the benching hurt his confidence and how much impact the knee had but there was definitely a difference after that. Plus add in that players and reporters have said that Henning and Sparano were in his ear all week saying “you better not screw up” which surely can’t help either. If he can rebound from all of that then he has a chance — but they might have screwed him up for good…

I have brought up Marc Bulger, and another QB that would have the entire fanbase screaming bloody murder, Billy Volek. Volek is a smart game manager, who rarely makes mistakes. In a way, he’s what the Dolphins wanted Chad Henne to be last year, but Henne failed to be. He runs the offense well, throws very few INT’s, and would be fine to hold toe the line for a year or so. Not a QB that will take the team on his back to the Superbowl, but a guy that will keep you in the game, and give you a good chance in every game you’re in to win.

If we draft a QB, that hopefully will be our franchise signal caller in a year or two, this is not a bad plan IMO. Exciting? Hell no! Smart? Maybe. Let either of these QB’s (Volek or Bulger) compete with Henne, and a rookie, and maybe, just maybe, Henne for the first time shows a little fire in a bonafide QB competition, one he has not had to face since coming to Miami. Maybe it ignites a fire that hasn’t yet been lit. No matter what, competition is ALWAYS good, it shows you the makeup of a player, their drive, their ability to handle pressure, and their intestinal fortitude in general.

You make some good points here. I do disagree with the statement “Maybe it ignites a fire that hasn’t yet been lit.” People keep saying that and he doesn’t show any leadership but I think it is just rhetoric to help bolster an argument.

In Week 10 he was benched (with a 4-4 record) and not just benched but there was a press conference called to announce it. People made a big deal that he cried in the locker room over it. Yet, he was ready to play and came in on the 4th offensive play and led the team to a lead when he was hurt in the 4th quarter. The team won the game (this game does not count toward his 13-14 record although most will agree he did what was needed to win). There was fire that day.

As I mentioned above, Henne did suffer a dislocated knee cap that most were reporting was a season ender. Yet, 14 days later he was back under center and had one of his best days ever. If that doesn’t show there is a fire there I am not sure what does. But there is more…

And then after all the hatred being spewed, the owner trying to buy a new coach and a new OC coming in he met with the new OC every day to work on learning the new playbook so that he could work with his teammates on the plays during the lockout. The media mocked him for saying this publicly but when the NFL said it was ok they dropped it completely.

If that isn’t fire and leadership then what do you need to see to admit that there is at least something there? Just wondering. I am not defending Henne because again I don’t think he will lead us to the playoffs but I have to take issues with the blind rhetoric when I see it…

Notice that Thiggy wasn’t there. He was busy having his agent say he wants to start and is eager for free agency. People rave about Thiggy (saying he changed a few plays in a late season blow out) and yet then say you can’t count the Chicago game against Thiggy because he only had 3 days to prep. Huh? Aren’t you supposed to always be ready?

I am not sure it started in the Tennessee game. I think it was before that and that was one of the reasons why he was benched. I agree that the benching was stupid and only further screwed with the kid’s head. I think it started in the Patriots meltdown in that Monday Night game. It seems like he lost confidence in that game and never was the same after that. Call it aloof or scared either way it is not leadership. Dan would throw an int and you would see fire in his eyes. It was visible, it jumped out of the TV screen. My brother who is not a big football fan used to joke with me when Dan threw an int that the defense should not have picked him because that only made him mad. Sure enough it would always seem that Dan would come out and rip the defense a new one after they picked him. I would like to see that out of Henne but I haven’t yet.

I have to say, I was definitely in favor of benching Henne by game 8, and was calling for it the whole week until he was. If his confidence is that fragile, then that’s his achilles heel right there, and also the reason people like to point out he doesn’t have “IT”. He lacks intestinal fortitude. He lacks drive. He lacks resolve. How many time times do you see MLB baseball pitchers sent down to the minors for a couple of weeks, and then come back up to the MLB squad, and show fire, and come back much better than they were before they were sent down. It’s not Henne;s fault that he doesn’t have the makeup, it’s our fault for not seeing it.

I’m not saying Henne is done either though. Get some competition for him this year, and maybe we’ll see the best of Henne yet. Or, maybe we’ll see that he’s just an average QB at best, who doesn’t, and never will have the “IT” factor.

I agree with most of what you said but for the benching. My biggest objection was not that Henne didn’t deserve it but that doing it with Pennington was not a viable option. He was too fragile to be considered an answer at QB. So in essence they benched Henne for nothing. I thought that messed with the kid’s head. Also it seemed to me that Sparano was coaching scared. He was trying too hard to get 1 win. If there is going to be a QB competition it has to be real QB competition and you can’t be coaching scared.

That’s the same type of rationale that would have gotten half of the Hall of Fame QB’s run out of town before they had a chance to “figure it out” (see list above).

We are in an instant gratification culture now. So if a guy makes the pro bowl he has the “it” factor and if he doesn’t then he doesn’t – regardless of his supporting cast.

Sure, the NFL is a QB league (now) as it is a big money position and high profile. But, in looking at history I would say that the same could be said about the 90’s, 80’s and even the 70’s. At one point the league had Marino, Elway, Montana, Kelly, Moon and Fouts all suiting up on Sundays so not sure why the phrase “its a QB league now” is used so much – but I digress.

The NFL QB career for 95% of the QB’s is a bell curve. Only a few come out of the gates like Dan Marino did – but for some reason that is now demanded to be the “rule” instead of the exception. I don’t get it.

What I also don’t get is people questioning someones character, make-up, fortitude, drive just by watching some tv and yet never meeting the person. I think this is nuts. I have talked with Chad Henne and find him to be an engaging, nice guy who definitely wants to win. He isn’t Dan, but who is. Dan is very intense, captivating when you meet him – even if he is talking about every day life things. Both guys are different but neither is as bad as the “haters” try to make them out to be — and trust me for as many fans as Dan has he has even more haters…

What happened to the Henne of ‘09? Remember how we would go nowhere on 1st and 2nd running the wildcat, then Henne would come back in and pick up the 1st almost every time. We need that guy back…. I give him one more shot this year, at least the 1st three games…
GO PHINS!!!

I see you are continuing your HR barrage from yesterday… EXELLENT posts!

Breaking down the stats, it is so VERY obvious that the problem was the O-Line and Dan Henning. I also have found it interesting that despite our decline in the running game, coupled with opposing Ds knowing who, what, where, when, and why we were throwing the ball to, Henne improved in every single statistical catergory except INTs… which weren’t all his fault either.

Additionally, Henne broke Marino’s record of passing yards to a WR tandem. Let’s be honest: if one can break ANY of Marino’s records, one is doing something pretty damned well. And Henne did this despite all of the negatives he had to deal with (Henning, horrible O-Line, no running game, defenders knowing where the ball was going, knee injury that nearly landed him on the I/R, Big Vern and Hartline going on I/R, Marshall missing two games, etc).

And… this was only his first year as a starter from the beginning of the season.

“Henne being good enough for us to get a high-round pick for in the 2012 draft.”

Huh???

As bad as you all make Henne out to be – he still lead us to 7 wins. If he improves then why trade him? If he really becomes a good player that we developed then why give him away? After all isn’t that what Tampa Bay did with Steve Young? How did that work out for them?

If there is a competition and he wins it and proves to be a good QB then we should keep him.

f he doesn’t win it then he is not the guy – but then he won’t warrant a high-round pick either…

You’re right about the options after the benching. I’m not really sure what they thought about Chad Pennington, and how long he could last, but obviously that was a miscalculation. IMO, after Penny went down, it should have been Thigpen that came in, not Henne, and THAT’s where they made a BIG mistake! You can’t bench a guy for two plays! He should have sat the entire game, and Thigpen should have played.

I wrote a 2 paragraph post only to not see it go through about 2 minutes ago, I HATE when that happens!. Jack, it was mostly in response to what you wrote about Henne having fire in the Tennessee game. I think you misinterpreted being angry and playing that way for one game, as having fire. If that’s his fire, he’s a like a disposable bic lighter. I want a guy who plays like an inferno, and has that drive EVERY game, every play, every time he touches the damn ball! Not a guy who carries a little extra emotion into one game because he was mad he was benched. That’s where you and I disagree big time. There are many QB’s out there that do play like that, so far, Henne hasn’t been one of them.

You said he has shown no fire. Others have said he shows no leadership. I picked a few examples. I think the Jest game is another example and a few games last year show it is there.

So my point is – if it is there is let’s acknowledge whether it is stifled by him or by the handcuffing of the coaching staff. But to say it just doesn’t exist is a bit too harsh for me and makes me think it is a statement made out of anger toward the man rather than out of rational thinking. I am just advocating being fair – I am not advocating for the man.

Remember, in the end this is just a guy trying to make a livelihood just like us.

I stand behind what I say. He hasn’t shown that he is a leader, a guy that inspires his team to make them think that he will take them to victory. Doing it once doesn’t make it a character trait, rather an aberration. That’s all I’m saying. I don’t hate Henne, I rooted very hard for him, but I think I came to the realization that he’s not the QB we want going forward. That doesn’t make me any less of a fan, and I will root for him if he’s our starter, but if he plays like he did last year, I will certainly call for his head again.

I thought Henne came off the benching with a new found fire. He had a pretty good game that day(stats anyone).
Same thing when coming back after the injury at the Raiders.
I think maybe some competition/adversity will get him playing like the QB we need…
GO PHINS!!!

Have you ever said that Ted Ginn Jr. is a gutless WR, or something to that effect? I can almost guarantee you have, yet I doubt you ever met him. C’mon, you gotta cut fans some slack here bro! This is how I’ll post from now on then.

I’ve never actually met Chad Henne, or talked to him personally in a Psychoanalysis kind of way – BUT, he does seem to lack the fire necessary to be a successful QB.

I never used the term “gutless” for Ted Ginn. I have actually complemented him a lot. I usually say that it is amazing what that man has accomplished in the NFL since he does not have any hands or testicles…

When I asked Henning about claims his offense was built for Chad Pennington and not Henne, Henning shot back.

“This offense has been going on for 40 years, maybe 50 if you go back to 1958, which is where it all germinates from with Weeb Ewbank with the Baltimore Colts and Don Shula. Different people took it to different places.

“Let’s make that assumption that your question has legitimate background. That it’s not built for [Henne]. I would think then it’s got to be good for someone else.”

“We’ve seen what he can do when he gets on a run. Right now, if you take him for what he is he’s a 78-to-80 rating quarterback (average). He has some balls tipped. He hits a number of plays under pressure (he’s good vs. the blitz), and has tremendous toughness in the pocket. He’s very prepared (for Sunday’s games). The thing that he hasn’t been able to do here, whether it be due to protection, [or that he doesn't have] the receivers to do it or what have you, we haven’t been able to generate the deep pass.

“We either under throw them, over thrown them, drop them, or have protection problems before we get a chance to throw (deep). That’s been a real sore point on our football team overall.

“On our football team overall we’re missing dynamics (big plays). We haven’t had any dynamics. We haven’t had any dynamic kickoff return or punt return to put the ball on the plus side of the 50. We haven’t had a dynamic interception return to take it back for a touchdown the entire year. And we haven’t had but two or three (Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams’ big runs, and Brandon Marshall and Brian Hartline have both made a deep catch) dynamic plays on offense out of about 800 or so plays. We’re missing that [big play], and somewhere along the line we’ve got to find it in this team.”

“The offense is missing a player who will dramatically change a play,”

“We won the division here in 2008. We took a team that was 1-15, came very close to being 0-16 if they hadn’t won in overtime. We broke down the team. Tried to deal with the personnel that was there. We let some players go (2008 offensive line, John Beck, Trent Green and Derek Hagan) that people before us had higher opinions of that we didn’t share, and we elevated (Greg Camarillo) some people up who we had a high opinion of, and we won the division. We won 11 games!”

–Henning pointed out Davone Bess does a marvelous job taking a 5-or-6 yard catch and turning it into a 15-yard gain. However, he hints this offense needs receivers, tailbacks and tight ends who can turn a 10-yard reception into a 50-yard gain.–

Speaking on the 2008 season — “It wasn’t easy. Wasn’t exactly dynamic, but we had about 8.03 yards per attempt, 11.9 yards per completion, we had (4.2) yards per carry with that team. After that season we all agreed we had an easier schedule than we were going to have (in 2009) and if we’re going to be where we wanted to be, not just division champs – but go on in the playoffs and win – we needed to change somethings and get better.”

“We haven’t done it. Doesn’t mean we haven’t tried to do it. But this group (2010) is not as efficient and consistent as that group (in 2008) was. Therefore they are not as effective as that group is. We have the same coaches. We have some players in that group who are more dynamic than we had (Marshall), but as a team we are not nearly as efficient, consistent, or effective as [the offense] was in 2008.”

“We need speed, and we need it in the areas where you break something loose and someone has a chance we can take it to the house regardless of whether we’re on our 10 or on their 10

“Let me tell you this. The other day I read where my supervisor came to my [defense], sharing how he felt about what I’ve been able to do for him. My job here is to do the best we can with what we have on offense, and blend it with our special teams and defense to try and win games. If I was to want someone to tell me I’m doing a good job my supervisor is the first guy I’d like to have do that.

“I work for Tony (Sparano). I came here to work for Tony (he initially turned down the job) and I appreciate what he had to say (on Monday). What I have to say about our football team goes to Tony. It doesn’t go to you guys (the media). It doesn’t go to my wife and grand kids. (After giving his feedback) Tony does with it what he feels is best.

“I feel like I know some things about this team because I work with it all the time, and I’m on top of it with the players. There are some things that need to be done. I’ve told Tony when he’s asked me, and I’m sure he’s taken in not only my opinion, but many opinions.

“You’ve got to do what you can do (during the season), then make determinations in the offseason as to how you are going to change the personnel and the coaches.”

It’s not hard to figure out what Henning’s feeling are regardless of his coaching style.

These are the same things that we share on the board here.

He isn’t sold on Henne but knows that the targets at WR and TE are missing.

He also implies that Sporano has been told his opinion about the problems on offense, but nothing has been done about it by he or Ireland.

I stand behind what I say. He hasn’t shown that he is a leader, a guy that inspires his team to make them think that he will take them to victory. Doing it once doesn’t make it a character trait, rather an aberration. That’s all I’m saying. I don’t hate Henne, I rooted very hard for him, but I think I came to the realization that he’s not the QB we want going forward. That doesn’t make me any less of a fan, and I will root for him if he’s our starter, but if he plays like he did last year, I will certainly call for his head again.
_________________
Mike,

We are in the same boat my friend. I didn’t mean to sound accusatory I was just trying to make a point.

I too have rooted for Henne and I don’t think he can do what I want him to do which is be an elite QB and lead us to Super Bowls. As I said earlier he lost my confidence in the Detroit game. Others lost confidence in him at other times. I get it. But at the same time I think he is an NFL caliber QB and it takes some things to be that.

I am resolved to the fact that I expect him to be the starter in Game 1 of the 2011 season whenever that is. I doubt that an elite QB will fall to us freely. I doubt that any of these QB’s in this draft class will be ready to start at QB in the 2011 season. I doubt that most of the FA class with any recognizable talent will even be available and those that are will be of limited skills or potential.

But, in looking at all things carefully, I see improvements in his game and I think we (myself included) have been unduly hard on him with blanket statements — especially since he is likely to be our QB next season…

As far as you saying he doesn’t show any leadership or fire, it appeared to me that Jake Long disagrees with you (Omar’s article the other day) and we know that Tony at least feels there is some of that there and evidently Daboll does as well…

But its all good bro – I know where you are coming from and I respect it…

I wasn’t big on Henne when he was at Michigan, I wasn’t big on drafting him, and I still am not big on Henne right now.

HOWEVER, when you look at the “BIG PICTURE”, Henne isn’t all that bad. I don’t portend to know what his ceiling is, but if he’s been able to accomplish that which he has accomplished from the depths of the cellar, he’s going to be a good to very good QB in the future.

Henne is certainly a polarizing figure on these blogs! Most either love him or hate him. I’m in the middle trying to look with an unbiased eye.

Let’s say I even took your stat at face value (3rd best pass blocking team), most teams don’t max protect to the extent the Dolphins do therefore they have more targets available in the secondary in which defenders must account for.

If you look at Henne’s game log for the 2010 season you clearly see a Jekyll and Hyde QB. As bad as he played at times he also played well. Say what you want but that’s the reality. He did have 8 games where his QB rating was 80+ including two 100+ and two 90+.

Now not believing that he has what it takes to get to the next level is another thing altogether.

Good to see we’re on the same page. If Long said that, that I just gained even more respect for him than I already had, and I had a ton, because the fact that lied for his QB shows how much he really cares.

jack you can use stats and manipulate numbers to support your views, it’s done all the time, the facts are we are talking about henne not brees not manning but henne and all the stats in the world won’t change how he plays on the field! dbs own him, he is slow thinking . you can’t fix stupid!

Henne had the ill luck to be saddled with a 74 year old OC who was at the end of his career and simply didn’t care about his future. Henning, who used to be a WR coach, ran a one note offense and was bored with the prospect of running. Almost all RBS need carries to get in rythm and usually produce better numbers in the second half than the first. But Henning had no patience for this and had Henning throwing on first down constantly, often setting up second and long/third and long situations [ and countless 3 and outs]. Sacks increased. Picks increased. Feild position suffered and scoring plummeted. As the TE only averaged 2.5 catches a game and Henning didnt care to throw to his backs much the opp D could key on the WR’s.
Henne’s terrible 4th quarter QBR is a huge concern for obvious reasons. And his play in the last quarter of the season was equally lousy. He hardly inspires confidence. But, again, he was never provided with an intelligent game plan and was so over coached/micromanaged he became increasingly tenative.
The rubber will meet the road in training camp/exhibitin games. I think he might be a servicable back-up if the the new OC changes things up and has some faith in a running game.

Great post again! I think does have fire but he doesnt show emotions a lot. I dont find that to be a huge problem because Brady was known as a cool character for quite a while. If Henne was 17-10, then people would say nothing fazes him, he’s cool under pressure, etc.

Henne hasnt been given the tools to succeed. One TE all year, WRs falling all over the place, bad offensive gameplan. bad blockers, lowered mobility in a low mobility QB, injuries everywhere, new WRs with horrible routerunning.

With that said, Sparano believes he needs competition and he’s seen the kid the most. Im not sold on Bulger at all. I guess he’s the best available QB which says a lot about how bad the FA pool really is. Bulger used to be a good QB. His accuracy has went down, he seemed scared at the line when he last was a starter, and hasnt been the same QB since Martz left. Hell, this guy took over the greatest show on turf not the ‘feed the stud’ dolphins. I think he’s backup from here on out.

I think Henne may surprise this year with a new offense. Daboll actually likes to use TEs, and RBs which is a welcome change of pace. The talent here wasnt the best last year on offense but we had more than St Louis. We still ended the year against teams like the Lions and Bills.

M13, Jason Allen was a decent STs player. I think he was overrated there as well. He was on the field over the last few years when we got beat for some big returns. He was the type of player who made a standout play that made you say wow and then he’d disappear, both as a DB and on STs.

I am just trying to be a Miami Dolphins fan! That is it. Not sure why all the hatred to him since he has done some things well too.

You say you can’t change how he plays on the field but I disagree and I am not sure it is as bad as you and others say. But I will agree it is not as rosey as some others say. It is really kind of middle of the road which makes sense because that is what he has been so far — middle of the road.

Here is what I mean – yes I will use stats again…

In 2008 Pennington took over this team (with an easier schedule as henning said above) and completed 165 passes to his 3 main WR targets (Ginn -56, Camarillo – 55 and Bess 54). The other 3 WR’s combined for 9 catches.

In 2009 Pennington got hurt and Henne took over. Our WR targets increased to 4 and they combined for 195 catches so the ball was going down the field a bit more (Bess – 76, Camarillo – 50, Ginn – 38 and Hartline 31)

In 2010 Henne was the QB and I agree he regressed. But our main WR catches increased for the 2nd year in a row although we had 3 main targets as they combined for 198 catches (despite missing a combined 6 games). Marshall – 86, Bess – 79, Hartline 43.

Hartline and Bess had career years (as did Fasano) and Marshall had the 2nd most receptions in Dolphins history and 1,014 yards in a “bad” year (he did also drop 13 passes).

This was also the most catches that a pair of Miami Dolphins has ever had in a season.

No 2nd option WR had ever had more than 71 catches in a season and Hartlines 43 catches ranks 15th all-time for total catches by the 3rd option…

This was all done with injuries, no running game, poor line play, attitudes, dropped passes, questionable play calls, poor decision making etc. And yes, Henne was guilty! But he is young and young guys do make mistakes…

So you say he doesn’t improve on the field and that the DB’s own him — yet his passing stats to WR’s set team records. Again, I am not defending him but as a Dolphins fan I have to admit it is better than people make it out to be. If he actually does show signs of life then I don’t advocate casting him off for the totally unknown and hoping for the best by starting over…

Jack, I don’t think you even need stats to know the ball went down the field more with Henne than Pennington. I don’t buy this idea that Henne just dinks and dunks and checks down. Anyone who says this wasn’t watching the games. He just doesn’t throw many bombs.

Exactly! Some people on here complain that all he does is check down and others complain that he can’t check down. That argument makes me think people are talking out of their posterior half the time. However, I must say that this blog is better than any of the others as most of the regular posters actually watch the games and have football intelligence and that makes this a great blog — even if we don’t always see eye to eye…

People focus on the more Int’s than TD’s and it is indicative of a problem but needs to be used with caution.

They shouldn’t forget that one “Int” was a bounce pass that wasn’t even added to the stats until a week later.

Also, when you don’t run the ball it allows the defense to drop more players into coverage – which gives them more opportunities to pick the ball off.

Add in to that the guys falling on pass routes, running the wrong route or not fighting for the ball and that increases the interceptions as well.

But the most maddening things of last season for me were decision making and play calling.

Henning would go to max protect too often and thus send 1 or 2 guys out into a pass pattern while the opponent was dropping extra guys into coverage. So the QB had time but with 2 receivers running routes against 6 in coverage the numbers did not favor us at all…

And then there were the maddening interceptions like against Detroit in the 4th quarter when we had the lead.

All of that added to the mess that caused the 7-9 season. Point is though, it wasn’t all Henne’s fault. The team didn’t play as a playoff caliber team across the board. As great as people want to make Thiggy, he didn’t throw more TD’s than Int’s either…

Jason Allen was a decent ST’s player and I thought they should have kept him for that since the unit struggled all season (straight through to NE in January).

The most telling stat though is that Jason Allen was cut after week 8 and at the end of the season he was the Dolphins leader in interceptions for the season with 3. Again, this is just another reason this team was not a playoff caliber team last year…

I dont think Henne will ever be elite though. We want a Rivers kind of guy where even if you lose, there is still hope the QB can pull off some magic. Where he yells at people, throws stuff, and expects wins to happen because he’s the QB. That is ok as long as they get back in the POs next year lol.

What we have is an Eli Manning type QB. He makes mistakes, isnt the backbone of the team and got damn LUCKY to get a ring. That SB win was a combination of hundreds of little factors that worked out perfectly. That was a 1 in a 100 win. Henne wont carry the team( the D will). Henne will throw some bad ints even with top talent. Henne will win some good games before he is done. He’s just not elite and thats damn hard to find.

Jack, I like the new avatar just not used to it yet, lol. I would love Marino part 2 or Peyton but thats too tall an order. People like fiery QBs and Rivers is about the hottest. He also can be very average in the POs which I think is realistic.

Brady is loved and adored but have they won anything since spygate? Im not saying he is bad by any means but any advantage in the POs is crucial especially with all those very close wins… Manning only won after they changed the rules to favor WRs more. If Marino had that rule ever…2 rings at least.

I dont particularly like Eli and neither do a lot of Giants fans I know. At least we didnt pay a high first for our Eli

Yet the question keeps coming up what changed with Henne between 2009 and 2010??? Hmmm – we blew up the offensive line, the running game went south and even when it was working (baltimore) we abandoned it…

It’s been there for all to see the entire time. I think some have given up so much on Henne that they’re not even looking at anything else.

If the running game is the same this year as it was last year it will be another 7-9 season regardless of the QB. We’re not built to be an explosive passing team at the moment. We’ll see if the draft and FA? changes that.

How well would Matt Ryan or Joe Flacco perform behind our O-Line, no running game, injuries, and pityful play-calling? At best, maybe only slightly better than Henne.

That’s not to say that Henne is at the same level as Ryan or Flacco, but a QB’s best friend is his O-Line. A RB’s best friend is his O-Line. A WR’s best friend is a QB who has time (via the O-Line) to be standing upright, throwing a good pass.

See, the Ravens and Falcons have established running games. You can’t win if you can’t establish the run. Ryan and Flacco would be in Henne’s boat if they didn’t have established running games.

Who needs to put 8 in the box when a team can’t run it’s way out of a paper bag? I’d like to see Ryan or Flacco beat Marino’s record of passing yards to a tandem the way Henne did just this past year… all the while with defenders keying in on who the ball was going to be thrown to and when, and having an extra guy in coverage.

Henne is not that shabby! No, he’s not Marino. No, he’s not Ryan Leaf. Just don’t be surprised if he emerges this year.

Is anyone willing to mortgage part of next year’s draft for this year? As in trading next year’s 1st for a 2nd this year. That’s usually the price. Like when Jimmy Johnson traded our 99 1st for a 2nd in 98 to land Surtain.

This team needs some more talent and playmakers now, not next year.

If we were to do this, we could stay at #15 take the BPA at any position and still get that 2nd rd pick back. Or we could still trade down and acquire another 2nd and stock up.

I’m sure that option is very open this year. Sparano has one year to get it done and Ireland knows that coach instability ends up being GM instability soon. Im sure Ireland is willing to do many things to get another pick early and we truly need it. I personally would love to see a drop in the first to add a second followed by giving up next year’s second for another this year. So;

i was thinking to give away a boatload to move up and get cam but i doubt that happens, if it did it would make this regime look like they know whats wrong with this team and are making moves to correct it!

as far as giving away a #1 for a #2 this year?? no way that happens! you don’t mortgage your future on unproven talent, i doubt we will be trading away any low round picks unless we are trading down, and i highly doubt we will give any low round picks for a FA QB unless bellichick smokes some crack and we get a shot at brady!

In lieu of the current circumstances (Sparano and Ireland are on borrowed time), I could see what you propose happening. However, I find it to be unwise for the long-term.

Nevertheless, if we have our eyes on two “must have guys” in the 2nd round this year who are guaranteed to not become busts (totally unpredictable!), I would pull the trigger. Ireland had better be DAMNED certain about this move, or he just signed his resignation letter. Same case should we choose to trade-up in the Draft.

“as far as giving away a #1 for a #2 this year?? no way that happens! you don’t mortgage your future on unproven talent,”

O Rob, next year’s 1st is unproven talent as well. You’re trying to get better and become a playoff team now, not next year. That’s where we are. We have to get back into the playoffs or what’s the point? This is year 4. I don’t want to be the Texans just bumbling around every year.

Don’t forget, you are banking on that guy making you better so that the draft pick will be much lower as a result. Of course, Al Davis and Dan Snyder like to make that move and then give up a top 5 pick the next year…

i’m not sure there is that big a difference in the talent level between 15 and the mid 2nd round therefore i think the safe money is on trading down in the first and recouping a 2nd like we did last year, that is depending on who is sitting there at 15. if one of the qbs is there? you never really know.

M13, think about the 2nd we used on Misi. This regime was confident this kid could be a starting OLB and he proved that. He got better as the season went on. That’s the kind of talent you have to target to make a trade like we’re talking about. You’re adding an immediate starter/contributor now instead of waiting on next year.

Even if we’re only 9-7 this year our 1st next year will be in the 20s. So it’s not like we’re giving up a top pick.

Not picking on you, just hear me out for a sec. What Tim said before, about trading next years 1st, for a 2nd rounder this year DOES make sense, if there is a player available that fits your system, and does all the things you need, at a position of great need. Just think of it like a “reach” in the draft, but one that helps your team. Look at he Jaguars drafting Tyson Alualu last year at #10, when he was considered a 2nd round pick. The Jags got ripped plenty for it, but they thought that player fit their need, and grabbed him early. It’s the same end result if you think about it that way.

It’s also quantity of quality as well. Lets say you get Julio Jones at 15(for argument’s sake plz, lol!). You cant trade back from that! You also cant wait for next year to get better talent. So you do a little mortgaging to get that 2nd to get Wisnewski for example or even Kaep/Ponder. QB of the future and his fav WR in one draft?! Worth it.

I did a quick guess so I know you are closer than me, lol. If we are doing the first for next year’s second I would have to take their 36 though. I really like the idea cause we need producers this year.

On to QBs lol since we all love talking about them…I just read a small sampling of what Parcells needs a QB to do to be inconsideration of his board: start 3 years, win 23 games, and graduate. Since Ireland’s board is supposed to be ultra small, I think he follows Parcells on a lot. That leaves Dalton, Stanzi, Kaep, and Ponder. I like the last 2.

I think all 4 are intriguing. I am not sure any one of them will be ready for at least 2 years.

Ponder is very smart but he is the owner of Chad Pennington’s arm. That scares me. He also tends to pull the ball down too fast and too much for my comfort. He had 33 less carries than FSU’s leading running back. That is a concern. He threw 184 passes and carried the ball 100 times. Not a good ratio for a QB.

Stanzi – Isn’t getting enough credit I think at this point. I expected to hear more hype on him. He is a project. But he measures pretty good across the board.

Kaep – Good size and stats. I think he has the chance to be the best QB of this bunch. I think that Miami may not be the best system for him. His accuracy exploded in 2010 which might make me pause a little but his other stats were very consistent — TD to INT ratio is great! 82-24 that is the type of decision making and experience that I like. I am warming up to him big time and wouldn’t be opposed to him being chosen by us…

Dalton is a guy I like. Four year starter. Smart. Stats improve each year which shows he was “getting” it and can learn. 66.7% completions in Senior year. 71 TD’s and 30 Ints. What’s not to like there? Undefeated Senior season. only one real bad game against SMU. He has a strong arm. However, many scouts and draft boards are down on him and say he will never be a starter in the NFL. Some have said he is a Day 3 prospect…

I wonder if we’re thinking about Robert Gallery? I’d sign him to a relatively low, but highly incentive laden contract. Da Raidaz just seem to find a way to mis-coach any O-Linemen they draft. Maybe he can return to the form he was at Iowa… a STUD.

I think better talent will be there at #15 this year that is better than what will be there in the 20s. The real good defensive talent in this draft is going to go in that top 15 along with the best offensive prospects. I do think there is a drop off as you get beyond 20. Not that there won’t be good prospects after that. I think the OL prospects start going late teens and 20s.

To be honest I haven’t spent much brain power on the Bronco’s at all. I was just looking for a possible trade partner with decent picks and whose values would match up on the trade chart. This trade happened worked out identically. It was an example – nothing more.

However, I think that there is a player around #15 that would look great in Denver and fits a need. Mark Ingram would be a great pick up for them especially if they go defense with the #2 pick as I suspect with Patrick Peterson…

I’ve brought up Denver and Atlanta in a few draft day trade scenarios, either one of those fit well value wise. Problem is, I have on idea what Denver would be looking for, maybe a pass rusher, or maybe an O-lineman. Atlanta would like to add a pass rusher, so it’s possible if Aldon Smith or Ryan Kerrigan was there, they would be interested. It’s hard to project trades, because a team has to have a LOT of conviction for a certain player in order to want to move up to get him.

We could really get someone elite at 15. Redskins, Vikes, Bengals, and Titans really need a QB. That could lower 4 players from the top. I see Prince, Peterson, Miller, Green, Jones, and at least 3 Dlinemen going before we draft even if 4 QBs are chosen somehow(I think 3). That leaves a lot of really good choices.

I went to NFL.com, and clicked on the Denver Broncos home page to glance at their roster to see what they might need, and when you open their official site, there’s a big picture of Colin Kaepernick, and an article regarding him. Why? Got me wondering.

I went to the Dolphins website, to see if maybe all NFL home pages have the same articles, not the case. I’m intrigued. Does Denver want to unload a former 1st round pick, Tebow, and draft his replacement with one of their 2nd rounders?

I recently heard something regarding Akeem Ayers, that he will freefall well into the 2nd round this year. I can’t remember exactly what they were saying, but he will NOT be a 1st round pick, and will go somewhere in the middle to end of the 2nd.

Solid list, but I’m just not feeling Jake Locker. That’s just me, though.

Von Miller could fall to us if recent rumors of his carbon footprint being too large for the environment makes it rounds. Al Gore should be informed about this outrage as Miller is contributing to the melting of the polar caps and it’s killing all those cuddly polar bears…

FA Jack,I agree with you,next years draft would be meaningless if they go 7-9 this year,Sparano & Ireland will probably be gone! So they will do everything in this draft,tradeing down in 1st,picking up 2nd,they may even trade back into the 2nd,may even have two 3rds,they probably will be giving draft picks away from next years draft to get the talent & speed they need for this season! I think they pull all the tricks in this years draft,it will be interesting!Go Phins!

I’ve been monitoring the QB situation in Denver relatively closely. There is SO much disinformation going on there between Elway, Fox, and the organization as a whole.

One day you hear that Orton is unquestionably their starter. The next day, you hear that Tebow is Elway’s guy and Orton is on the trading block. The next day, you hear it will be a battle in training camp and neither will be dealt. The next day, you hear rumors of Brady Quinn getting a legit shot to unseat all.

Honestly? I don’t think the Bronchoes are interested in Kaep. I think it’s a matter of throwing more disinformation out there.

If they were keeping Tebow it wouldn’t make ANY sense whatsoever, but if they planned on moving him, which to me, doesn’t make sense either, because what could you get back for him at this point? Not only that, they would be replacing Tebow with a very similar player anyway. Doesn’t make sense either way.

Mike E, I’ve seen Ayers rated high by a lot of people. He fits our criteria for OLBs. But in the next few weeks we’ll know more about who’s dropping and who’s on the rise.

M13, I like Locker’s skill set and upside. I think he needs some grooming but he’s a more talented version of Thigpen.

He has solid size, about 6-3 230, excellent athletic ability and quickness and can make all the throws. That’s what you look for. He’d be very dangerous in the red zone because of his mobility. He will force teams to pay attention to him when the play breaks down. That opens things up for someone else.

He has the tools and upside you look for in a starting QB. I’d also take Newton at #15 but I don’t think he’ll fall to us.

Doesn’t the fact that Locker NEVER completed more than 55% of his passes concern you? You know how much more open receivers are in college, and if he couldn’t find them in college, it’s less likely he’ll find them in the pros. I was listening to NFL radio the other night, and Michael Lombardi was tearing him up, saying how he was in a pro type system with Sarkisian’s offense, and how Locker said he just never got on the same page with his receivers. Also, Lombardi said Lockers footwork was no better at the end of two seasons in that offense than it was in the beginning.

I’m not saying we shouldn’t take him, but love some answers as to why his footwork is off, he couldn’t get on the same page with his receivers, and has such a poor completion % in college. Wouldn’t you?

OMAR KELLY was unsuccessful at achieving his childhood dream to become a super hero, so he figured he'd do the next best thing and become a journalist who fights against injustice, and searches for truth. After being bored to death reporting news and covering politics, he switched to sports.
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IZZY GOULD joined the Sun Sentinel in Feb. 2012 as a Senior Sports Reporter on the Miami Dolphins beat. He came to South Florida fresh off covering the University of Alabama football program, including its 2011 national championship team. More